Electrical connector apparatus



Feb. 23, 1965 A. D. VAN HORSSEN 3,170,752

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR APPARATUS Filed Oct. 18, 1962 INVENTOR. ARDEJID.KwHozs'szw BY f Arron/Er:

United States Patent 3,170,752 ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR APPARATUS Arden D.Van Horssen, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Nut-Line Industries, Inc.,Minneapolis, Minn, a corporation of Minnesota 1 Filed Oct. 18, 1962,Ser.No. 231,461 3 Claims. (Cl. 339217) This invention relates to electricalconnectors and more particularly to an improved electrical connector.

It is oftentimes necessary to mount a connector component or contact inan insert which may be rigid or resiliently yieldable. The componentmust be stable and immovable in the insert and provide a high degree ofelectrical continuity, but it is also desirable that the component bereadily removable from the insert. though components of this generaltype have been known in the past, substantially all of such previouslyknown.

components have been unduly complicated and costly.

With these comments in mind, it is to the elimination of these and otherdisadvantages to which my invention is concerned.

An object of my invention is to provide a new and improved insertablecontact of simple and inexpensive construction and operation. 7

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel method of producinga socket contact with resilient spring fingers for receiving andpositively engaging a pin contact of predetermined maximum size.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fullyappear from the following description made'in connection with theaccompanying drawings whereinlike reference characters refer to the sameor similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section view through the assembled connectorcomponent;

FIG. 2 is a detail transverse section taken approximately at 22 in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a detail transverse section View taken at approximately 3--3in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a detail transverse section view taken approxiinately at 4-4in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show consecutive steps in. the formatioiiof theconnector component and more specifically:

PG. 5 is an elevation view partly in section showing I a pie-f5: oftubing prior to the formation process;

PIC? is a longitudinal section view of the tubing at an intermediatestage of the formation process; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded elevation View, partly in section showing theelements prepared for final assembly.

One form of the invention is shown in the drawings and is describedherein.

The electrical connector component is indicated in general by numeral 10and is primarily adapted for mounting in a rigid or resilientinsulatinginsert 11. The insert 11 has an aperture 12. therein andoppositely facing surfaces 13 and 14 at opposite ends of the apertureand around 7 the periphery thereof. The insert also has an enlargedopening 15 aligned with the aperture 12 and communicating therewith.

The connector component 10 includes an elongate body member 16 which isgenerally tubular in configuration and which is constructed of aconductive work-hardenable material such as beryllium copper. The bodymember 16 has a hardened socket contact-defining forward end portion 17of a reduced diameter as compared to the intermediate portion 18; andthe body member also has a tubular rear end portion 19. A plug orquantity of solder 20 or other flowable material is applied to theinterior of the tubular rear portion 19 in sealed relation with the sealbetween the front and rear portions of the body member. I

The forward hardened end portion 17 is provided with a plurality oflongitudinally extending linear cuts 21 spaced from each other aroundthe periphery and defining a plurality of elongate resilient springfingers .22, the outer or forward ends of which are segregated from eachother so as to be adapted to converge in a forward direction withrespect to each other. The innermost portions of the spring fingers aredisposed within, and formed integrally of, the hardened forward portion17.

The hardened forward end portion 17 has a metallic conductive and rigidshroud 23 thereon in tight-fitting encompassing relation. The rearsleeve portions 24 of the shroud has 'its rear end spun into an annularrecess 25 in the hardened forward portion 17 of the body member 16 tothereby aflix the shroud 23 permanently in a predetermined position onthe body member 16. The sleeve portion 24 has a forwardly convergingconical inner surface 26 disposed along and engaging the innermost endportions 'of the spring fingers 22 and cause the spring fingers 22 toflex inwardly into convergent relation with each other. It will be notedthat the outer ends of the spring fingers 22 are spaced transverselyinwardly from the adjacent portion of the sleeve 24 so as to bepermitted to fiex outwardly under the influence of a mating pin 27,shown in FIG. 1.

The shroud 23 also has an inwardly protruding annular flange or lip 23disposed forwardly of the outer ends of the spring fingers 22 and withan inner peripheral surface or edge 29 disposed in substantial alignmentwith the outer. ends of the spring fingers so as to limit the size ofmating pin allowed access into the socket contact. The

outer ends of the spring fingers have outwardly flaring 13 of the insert11 and cooperates with the rear end 19 of the body member 16 incooperative insert-clamping relation so as to hold the shank 32 and bodymember 16 in predetermined relation with respect to the insert.

A sealing ring 11a encompasses the body member 16 and seals against theinsert 11 to prevent moisture migration along the exterior of thecomponent 10 and through the insert.

The shank 32 has an enlarged head 35 at its forward end which defines arearwardly facing annular shoulder surface 36. Surface 36'normally abutsrearwardly against the forward ends of resilient spring fingers 37 whichconverge in a forward direction along the shank and are flexible in anoutward direction. TlE spring fingers 37 are mounted on, and formedintegrally with, a mounting ring 38 which iscaptured in and aifixedlyretained by a permanently deformed or crimped portion 39 of the tubularrear portion 19 of the body member. In the form shown, the portion 39 ofthe tubular rear end 19 is spun around the configuration of the ring 38to hold the ring around its entire periphery against any fore-and-aftmovemerit. 7 It will be noted that the shank 32 has a neck portion 4!)which carries a camming slide ring 41 movable forwardly along the shankand engageable with the spring fingers 37 to cam the spring fingers inan outward direction sufiiciently as to cause the spring fingers 37 torelease the head 35 and permit the shank 32 to be withdrawn from thebody member 18 and insert 11.

.The shank 32 also has an access groove 42 extending longitudinally andlinearly along one side of the shank and through the flange 33 to openrearwardly to the exterior and to open forwardly adjacent the rear edgeof camming ring 41. The groove 42 provides access for a tool such as aprobe to be inserted inwardly along the groove into engagement with thering 41 to urge the ring forwardly for camming the spring fingers 37outwardly and causing the head 35 to be releasedf The shank 32 also hasa wire terminal means 43 on the rear end thereof and in the form shown,comprises a solder pot 44 into which the end of a wire may be insertedand secured by soldering.

With reference now to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the novel process or method offorming the body member 18 is described. A length of tube 18 ofwork-hardenable material such as beryllium copper is used. During theinitial stages the tubing 18 is in an annealed condition. During theprocessing of the tube 18' no heat treating is used. During theformation of the tube 18' it will be seen that in FIG. 6, the tubing hasbeen spun so that the forward portion 17 has a reduced diameter. Duringthe spinning to the reduced diameter, the forward portion 1'7 iswork-hardened. The annular recess is shown completed in FIG. 6. Thework-hardened portion 17' forwardly of the annular recess 25 has acylindrical shape. During the spinning operation, the rear portion 19 isalso spun to the configuration shown for receiving a shank therein. Therear end edge 19a remains in a cylindrical shape allowing subsequentassembly of the mounting ring 38 after the tubing 18 has been formed tothe shape shown in FIG. 6. The workhardened forward end l7'-is completedby producing the cuts 21 longitudinally inwardly and linearly along andwithin the work-hardened forward end portion 17'. The shroud 23 issubsequently applied and the rear edge thereof is spun into the recess25 as shown in FIG. 1. The spring fingers 37 and mounting ring 38 aresubsequently inserted into the rear portion 19' which is subsequentlyspun inwardly at 39 so as to hold the ring 38 against fore-and-aftmovement.

It has been found that producing the necessary resiliency in the springfingers 22 by work-hardening the forward portion is satisfactory andcompletely comparable to hardening by heat treating. The hardening ofthe forward portion 17 by working the material and spinning localizesthe hardening and allows additional working of the rear end portion 19of the tube 18' so as to provide for attachment of the conductive shankand spring fingers37 thereto.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, detail, arrangement and proportions of the parts withoutdeparting from the scope of my invention which consists in the matterdescribed herein and set forth in the appended claims.

, What I claim is:

1; An electrical connector component comprising,

(a) abody member having a forward end defining an electrical contactmeans and a tubular rear portion having a rearwardly facing centralaccess opening,

(1)) a mounting ring fixedly retained within said tubular rear portionadjacent said access opening and having a cylindrical bore extendinglongitudinally forward from said access opening,

(c) said mounting ring being provided with a plurality of forwardlyconverging and outwardly flexible spring fingers angularly located withrespect to each other,

(d) an elongate shank having means at the rear end thereof adapted forsecuring a wire thereto and an enlarged head at t e forward end adaptedfor abutting at the rearward portion thereof against the free ends ofsaid fingers in a captured engagement relation, 7 a

(c) said shank extending forwardly through said access opening andthrough the bore of said mounting ring, said shank having a firstlongitudinal portion nearer its rear end of a diameter slightly less 4than the diameter of said bore and a second longitudinal portion nearerits forward end of a diameter less than that of said first longitudinalportion, the adjacent ends of said longitudinal portions residing saidbore with the forward end section of said second longitudinal portionprojecting from said bore whereby an annular space is formed between the-1'ear end section of said second longitudinal portion and the forwardend section of said mounting ring,

(1) a cylindrical camming ring normally disposed in said annular spacehaving an outer diameter of a size to fitfreely within said bore and aninner diameter of a size to freely encircle said second longitudinalshank portion,

g) said first longitudinal shank portion having a longitudinal grooveextending therealong of a depth corresponding substantially to thedifference in radii of said longitudinal shank portions, said groovesextending rearwardly through said access opening for admitting a toolfor forcefully sliding said cylindrical camming ring forwardly alongsaid second longitudinal shank portion to simultaneously cam said springfingers outwardly to release the head of said shank and thereby allowwithdrawal thereof.

2. An electrical connector component for mounting in an insert having anaperture there through comprising,

(a) a body member having a forward end defining an electrical contactmeans and a tubular rear portion with a rearwardly facing central accessopening aligned with the aperture of said insert,

(b) said tubular rear portion having a generally cylindrical wall withportions thereof adapted to be clamped by said insert,

(c) a mounting ring affixed to the inside of said tubular rear portionhaving a plurality of forwardly extending and outwardly flexible springfingers,

(a') an elongate shank having a rear end with means for securing anelectrical wire thereto and a forward a portion adapted for extendingthrough the aperture of said insert into said tubular rear portion ofthe body member,

(e) said forward portion of said shank having an enlarged head thereonadapted to abut at the rearward portion thereof against the ends of saidspring fingers,

(f) said shank having a flange adapted for engaging the rear end of saidinsert in confronting relation, and

(g) a rigid cylindrical camming ring slidably mounted on said shank andengageable with all of said sp ing fingers at one time whereby saidfingers may 5 simultaneously cammed outwardly to release tii. head ofsaid shank when said ring is forced lgmtvardly against said fingers,

(It) said shank further having an elongate longitudinal access groovewith a forward end adjacent said ring and a rearward end exposed to theexterior rearwardly of said flange whereby to permit insertion of a toolfor moving said ring forwardly.

3. An electrical connector apparatus comprising,

(a) an insulating insert member having an aperture extending therethrough (b) a conductive body member having portions positioned withinsaid insert member,

(c) said body member having a forward end defining electrical contactmeans and a tubular rear portion having a rearwardly positioned accessopening aligned with said aperture of said insert,

(d) said tubular rear portion having a rear end clamping against saidinsert around the aperture thereof in moisture sealing relation,

((2) said body member having means interiorly thereof defining amoisture seal to prevent moisture migration from one end of said bodymember to theother,

(f) a plurality of forwardly converging and outwardly flexible springfingers having rear ends secured within said tubular rear portion andaround the periphery thereof,

(g) an elongate shank extending forwardly through the aperture of saidinsert and access opening of said tubular rear portion,

(It) said shank having an enlarged head thereon adapted to abutrearwardly against the ends of said spring fingers and a rear end withWire terminal means thereon,

(i) said shank also having an outwardly protruding flange confrontingand engaging said insert around the aperture thereof, and r (j) a rigidcylindrical camrning ring slidably mounted on said shank and engageablein forward movement with all of said spring fingers at one time wherebyto cam and flex said fingers simultaneously in a direction radiallyoutward from said shank whereby to permit said head to pass rearwardlyof said fingers,

(k) said shank; further having an elongate access groove with a forwardend adjacent said ring and a 20 JOSEPH D.

rearward end extending through said flange whereby to permit insertionof a tool for moving said ring References Cited by the Examiner UNITEDSTATES PATENTS Parker 33991 Smith et al. Neill 339 10 Morris 339-91 XMerkel.

Cornell 339-262 X Londell 339--91 Purinton 339262 Van Horssen 339- 217 XFOREIGN PATENTS forwardly.

Great Britain.

SEERS, Primary Examiner.

1. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR COMPONENT COMPRISING, (A) A BODY MEMBERHAVING A FORWARD END DEFINING AN ELECTRICAL CONTACT MEANS AND A TUBULARREAR PORTION HAVING A REARWARDLY FACING CENTRAL ACCESS OPENING, (B) AMOUNTING RING FIXEDLY RETAINED WITHIN SAID TUBULAR REAR PORTION ADJACENTSAID ACCESS OPENING AND HAVING A CYLINDRICAL BORE EXTENDINGLONGITUDINALLY FORWARD FROM SAID ACCESS OPENING, (C) SAID MOUNTING RINGBEING PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF FORWARDLY CONVERGING AND OUTWARDLYFLEXIBLE SPRING FINGERS ANGULARLY LOCATED WITH RESPECT TO EACH OTHER,(D) AN ELONGATE SHANK HAVING MEANS AT THE REAR END THEREOF ADAPTED FORSECURING A WIRE THERETO AND AN ENLARGED HEAD AT THE FORWARD END ADAPTEDFOR ABUTTING AT THE REARWARD PORTION THEREOF AGAINST THE FREE ENDS OFSAID FINGERS IN A CAPTURED ENGAGEMENT RELATION, (E) SAID SHANK EXTENDINGFORWARDLY THROUGH SAID ACCESS OPENING AND THROUGH THE BORE OF SAIDMOUNTING RING, SAID SHANK HAVING A FIRST LONGITUDINAL PORTION NEARER ITSREAR END OF A DIAMETER SLIGHTLY LESS THAN THE DIAMETER OF SAID BORE ANDA SECOND LONGITUDINAL PORTION NEARER ITS FORWARD END OF A DIAMETER LESSTHAN THAT OF SAID FIRST LONGITUDINAL PORTION, THE ADJACENT ENDS OF SAIDLONGITUDINAL PORTIONS RESIDING SAID BORE WITH THE FORWARD END SECTION OFSAID SECOND LONGITUDINAL PORTION PROJECTING FROM SAID BORE WHEREBY ANANNULAR SPACE IS FORMED BETWEEN THE REAR END SECTION OF SAID SECONDLONGITUDINAL PORTION AND THE FORWARD END SECTION OF SAID MOUNTING RING,(F) A CYLINDRICAL CAMMING RING NORMALLY DISPOSED IN SAID ANNULAR SPACEHAVING AN OUTER DIAMETER OF A SIZE TO FIT FREELY WITHIN SAID BORE AND ANINNER DIAMETER OF A SIZE TO FREELY ENCIRCLE SAID SECOND LONGITUDINALSHANK PORTION, (G) SAID FIRST LONGITUDINAL SHANK PORTION HAVING ALONGITUDINAL GROOVE EXTENDING THEREALONG OF A DEPTH CORRESPONDINGSUBSTANTIALLY TO THE DIFFERENCE IN RADII OF SAID LONGITUDINAL SHANKPORTIONS, SAID GROOVES EXTENDING REARWARDLY THROUGH SAID ACCESS OPENINGFOR ADMITTING A TOOL FOR FORCEFULLY SLIDING SAID CYLINDRICAL CAMMINGRING FORWARDLY ALONG SAID SECOND LONGITUDINAL SHANK PORTION TOSIMULTANEOUSLY CAM SAID SPRING FINGERS OUTWARDLY TO RELEASE THE HEAD OFSAID SHANK AND THEREBY ALLOW WITHDRAWAL THEREOF.